Mark Udall on Social Security

Democratic Representative (CO-2)

Notch reform: ensure that all receive equitable benefits

Q: Notch babies receive lower Social Security benefits because they were born in the years 1917 and immediately thereafter. Do you support Notch Reform?

A: I support efforts to ensure that all members of Social Security receive equitable benefits.
In the past, I have referred to the special committee report on Social Security notch reform, but would be open to more discussion on this issue. I also think we need to ensure that new notches do not emerge in future Social Security adjustments.

Let technical experts decide COLA rates

Q: We strongly believe that the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) that seniors are currently receiving does not accurately reflect how they must spend their money. Do you support COLA Fairness, based on the consumer price index
(CPI) for seniors?

A: I have heard arguments on both side of this issue and I think this is a technical matter best resolved by experts, not politicians. However, I am open to continuing the discussion on this issue.

All options on the table for long-term solvency

Q: Do you support Social Security Reform or Privatization?

A: Social Security is our most important and most successful retirement-security program, and its long-term financial stability is important to everyone, not just senior citizens.
To address long-term solvency, I support creation of a bipartisan solvency commission along the lines of the Reagan-Dole-OíNeill agreement in the 1980s. Letís put all options on the table, and engage the American people in a bipartisan approach.

Lock box measure for Social Security & Medicare surpluses

Udall supports a lock box measure, limiting Congressís ability to spend Social Security and Medicare surpluses on any other federal programs except Social Security and Medicare, until each programís long-term solvency is guaranteed.

Comprehensive Retirement Security and Pension Reform Act of 2001: Vote to pass a bill that would raise the amount individuals may contribute to traditional and Roth Individual Retirement Accounts and to 401[k] plans and make pensions plans more portable

Voted NO on reducing tax payments on Social Security benefits.

Vote to pass a bill that would reduce the percentage of Social Security benefits that is taxable from 85 to 50 percent for single taxpayers with incomes over $25,000 and married couples with incomes over $32,000. The revenues that would be lost for the Medicare trust fund would be replaced by money from the general fund.

The mission of the Alliance for Retired Americans is to ensure social and economic justice and full civil rights for all citizens so that they may enjoy lives of dignity, personal and family fulfillment and security. The Alliance believes that all older and retired persons have a responsibility to strive to create a society that incorporates these goals and rights and that retirement provides them with opportunities to pursue new and expanded activities with their unions, civic organizations and their communities.

The following ratings are based on the votes the organization considered most important; the numbers reflect the percentage of time the representative voted the organization's preferred position.